Jeju Island Proposes Expansion of Jeju-Origin Air Routes to Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

Actively Highlighting Issues Such as Seat Shortages and Soaring Airfares on Jeju Routes, Urging for Countermeasures

Kim Hee-hyun, Vice Governor, "Jeju Air Traffic is a Public Transportation Means and a Core Infrastructure of Jeju's Economy"

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province visited the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the 23rd to actively request an expansion of seat supply on Jeju routes.

According to Jeju Province on the 24th, this was in response to the worsening inconvenience for residents and tourists due to the decrease in flights originating from Jeju caused by the recent increase in overseas flights, as well as the negative impact on Jeju's economy.

Jeju Province Deputy Governor Kim Hee-hyun visited the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the 23rd and requested the Director General of Aviation Policy to expand the number of airline seats on Jeju routes.
[Photo by Jeju Province]

Kim Hee-hyun, Deputy Governor for Political Affairs, met with the Director General of the Aviation Policy Office at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the day and emphasized, “Considering that air traffic to Jeju is both a public transportation means and a central infrastructure of Jeju’s economy, it is necessary to expand the supply of seats on Jeju air routes.”

Deputy Governor Kim pointed out problems such as the intensified shortage of domestic flight seats due to the recent decrease in flights originating from Jeju, ongoing difficulties in securing airline seats for individual tourists welcoming spring and group tourists such as school trips, and the economic burden on Jeju residents caused by soaring airfares.

He explained, “It is urgent to find solutions to the difficulties in securing airline seats for Jeju residents and the increased burden due to the sharp rise in airfares.”

He further urged, “Measures such as increasing the number of flights, deploying special flights, or replacing medium and small aircraft with larger ones are necessary to resolve the seat shortage on Jeju routes.”

Additionally, he requested, “Please allow the resumption of international scheduled routes (27 routes in 5 countries) that existed before COVID-19, such as the direct Jeju-China routes, following the lifting of the unified entry system at Incheon Airport for Chinese nationals (effective from March 1).”

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport generally acknowledged Jeju Province’s difficulties and requests but conveyed the position that problems will gradually be resolved after the summer flight schedule is applied from the 26th of next month.

Meanwhile, Jeju Province also held a meeting in the large conference room of the Jeju Regional Headquarters of Korea Airports Corporation on the same day to discuss ways to revitalize tourism in the Jeju area and expand tourist attraction, with local airlines and related organizations for Jeju tourism promotion.

Jeju = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Chang-won baekok@asiae.co.kr

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.